Automatic media verification

The TS4500 tape library supports policy-based automatic media verification to verify that your tape cartridges are readable.

The verification process is controlled at the logical library level. Media verification is set up to run automatically on a set date, but you can verify individual cartridges before the set date. Logical libraries that use AME or SME encryption cannot use media verification.

You can set the recurring schedule for media verification by day, months, or years. Cartridges that are in the process of verification are still available for media access. If the library receives a request for information on a cartridge that is being verified, the verification is suspended and the cartridge is released to fill the request. When the cartridge is no longer needed, verification is resumed.

The move and eject actions are disabled for cartridges in the verification process. You have to first stop the verification process before you can move or eject a cartridge that is being verified.

Enabling Media Verification

The first step to using media verification is selecting at least one tape drive in your library as a media verification drive. You should have at least two drives to ensure that there are no false positives due to a faulty tape drive. Tapes that fail verification are retried on the second drive, if available, before they are reported as faulty.

Once you selected the verification drives, go to the Cartridges by Logical Libraries page in the management GUI. Right-click on the logical library to enable media verification and set the verification schedule.

When media verification is enabled on a logical library for the first time, all the cartridges become due for verification on the same date. The initial queue for media verification might take up to several months to be established. This depends on the number of cartridges, how full they are, and the number of media verification drives. Once a cartridge is verified, the next verification date is based on the time period set in the verification policy.